Summer Reading Club

 Thanks for a Fantastic (and Unusual) 2020 Summer!

2020 has been a year unlike any other for the Bowen Island Public Library. Despite the many differences in service this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the library continues to be dedicated to reading, literacy, and lifelong learning. One of the ways that the Bowen Library encourages reading during the summer months is through the BC Summer Reading Club.

Summer Reading Club (SRC) is a free program that encourages children to reach a goal of reading 50 days throughout their summer break. It is a great way to maintain reading skills while out of school, learn more about the library, and have fun. The SRC program is a staple at the library but, as with most things this year, the program looked very different.

Due to the spring closure of the library, registration was moved online with the option to pick up a reading log from the library during “takeout” hours. Book availability was also altered due to the library’s closure and limited hours. Takeout service from library started in June, and allowed patrons to browse the online catalogue and pick up items without coming into the library. The library reopened in July with limited hours and limited capacity for in-person browsing. The reduction in library hours has created more interest in eBooks and audiobooks. Both are available through the library’s online databases like Overdrive, TumbleBooks, and the Libby app. TumbleBooks is full of eBooks for kids and parents to read aloud and to read along with.

Summer Reading Club normally involves kids and families checking out piles of books and attending library events. Last year, the library had over 250 attendees at our SRC events and programs. This year, in-person events were cancelled and online programming was emphasized instead. The BC Summer Reading Club website (bcsrc.ca) hosted live events like “Ask an Astronomer” and posted at-home activities for kids of all ages. In order to promote these online programs, Bowen Library started an Instagram page and moved more of our marketing to social media.

The pinnacle of the Summer Reading Club is the medal ceremony, when all of the young readers receive their well-deserved rewards for completing the summer challenge. This year the medal ceremony was transitioned to a drop-in pick-up. Medal winners stopped by the library to receive their medals and pop into the SRC space photo booth. To celebrate their achievement, photos of the medal winners are posted on the library’s Wall of Fame.

 Summer Reading Club Medal Pick-up through Sept 19th

Updated: August 26, 2020

After you have recorded 50 days of reading activities, visit the library to collect your medal, certificate of completion, and goodie bag.

Medals will be available for pick up Aug 19th – Sept 19th, during library hours, Wednesday – Saturday 12-3pm.

No appointment necessary, just stop by anytime!

Participants do not need to turn in anything to prove they reached 50 days, like a calendar or reading log. But library staff would love to hear about your summer reading, so feel free to bring what you have been working on and share it with us.

Medal winners can get their photo taken in our space photo booth! And can have their photo added to the SRC Wall of Fame.

 

BC Summer Reading Club 2020 Presents:

Explore Our Universe!

Updated: July 23, 2020

This year Summer Reading Club will be available online, as well as with the traditional paper materials. This free program encourages kids 4 to 12 to read every day, and to maintain reading skills over the summer. Our theme is “Explore Our Universe” – through reading, activities and online challenges. Kids can read anything they like (it’s summer beach reading after all) – chapter books, graphic novels, non-fiction, comics, ebooks, audiobooks, etc. Being read to, or having some reading help, counts too! Earn stickers, digital badges, and be awarded with a medal at the end of the summer for completing 50 days of reading!

There are 2 ways to participate. Choose the one that’s right for you and your family – or do both!

Online:

• Go to, 2020, go to bcsrc.ca and sign up. (A parent or guardian needs to provide an email address and their permission).
• If you need help signing up, see this handy guide or send us an email.
• Track your daily reading and earn weekly digital badges throughout the summer!
• Sign up for the Bowen Library SRC mailing list (check the SRC box) to hear about Bowen-specific SRC programs

In Person:

• Pick up a Summer Reading Club package at Bowen Library, with a Reading Log, stickers and a bookmark! Pick up during our open hours, currently Wednesday to Saturday between 12 – 3 pm (Seniors’ Hours are Thursday 10 am-12 pm).
• Track your reading in your Reading Log by filling in the daily spaces for every day that you read. Parents or guardians can reward you with weekly stickers!

Want actual physical books? You got it! Come browse the library during our open hours, or use our Takeout service. Go to our website and search the catalogue for the books you want. Place a hold on those books, we’ll grab them off the shelves, and notify you when they are ready for pick up. Pick up times are during our open hours.

We’ll be adding more information throughout the summer about local Bowen Reading Club events, activities and how to get your medal, so check our website (bowenlibrary.ca) regularly and sign up for our newsletter.

Be sure to visit bcsrc.ca regularly during the summer! You can download printable activities, enjoy author readings, and get some great ideas for fun activities to do at home for kids of all ages. For more information, to get help registering online or using the paper package email us or call us at 604-947-9788.